Q: In (a Jan. 26) article about Dennis Allen, you mention he was also offered the defensive coordinator's job with the Eagles. Why would he choose the 4-12 Broncos over the division-champion Eagles? Was it because of John Fox? Was it because he likes the organization better? Was it money? Or was it the fact that, with the Broncos' defense being last in the league, there's nowhere to go but up?

A: Geoff, since Allen's hiring in Denver, the Eagles have privately denied to many folks that he was formally offered a job in Philadelphia. But much of that is semantics, and it's always the way it goes when interviews are done and decisions are made — candidates often "remove" their names from consideration when someone else is going to get the job, or people say no "formal" offer was made.

Allen's close friends have said he was considering offers from both teams, and Allen has publicly said he considered Denver a "better fit" after interviewing with both teams.

Allen is obviously going to limit what he says about the interview process, but in talking to many of his former associates in coaching, working for Fox was a big part of Allen's decision.

Though that's probably a bit of a wash on some levels considering that Eagles head coach Andy Reid, with Jeff Fisher and the Titans having parted ways, is now the longest-tenured head coach in the league with his current team.

It's a stable situation with a playoff-caliber roster.

However, expectations are going to be high, especially for a defensive coordinator opposite a high-powered offense, as the situation would be in Philadelphia. While most coaches are competitive and wouldn't want to shy away from expectations, the situation in Denver is certainly different.

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The Broncos finished last, or nearly last, in every major defensive category this past season, including points allowed. There is lots to be repaired, and almost no one who has looked at the situation would honestly believe it will be a quick fix either.

Allen will have some time, as well as the support system of coaching veterans on the Broncos' defensive staff such Wayne Nunnely (defensive line) and Richard Smith (linebackers) to go with Fox.

That's a good situation for an up-and-coming coach in his first turn as a play-caller, especially one who is highly regarded in coaching circles.

There were some assistants in the league who said Allen's family may have simply wanted to live in Denver.

Saints head coach Sean Payton has said Allen was not only a potential coordinator, but believes Allen will be a head coaching candidate in the NFL at some point.

Those who know him also say Fox is simply a persuasive guy. Fox has said one of the things that attracted him to Allen was that Allen coached both defensive backs and the defensive line as a position coach in the NFL, a rare combination.

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